Who we are
Shaping Public Sector Initiatives
COLMAR BRUNTON'S
SOCIAL RESEARCH AGENCY
The public sector faces unique pressures and constraints. Colmar Brunton recognised this early on in its life and in 1994 created a special unit dedicated to helping public sector organisations achieve their aims – the Social Research Agency. We are a team of public sector specialists who have the skills, experience and passion to use research to help achieve social goals.
Our aim is to help social profit organisations achieve their aims through a collaborative approach to strategy and planning. We bring alive the needs, concerns, motivations and attitudes of your target audience to work with you as ‘thought partners’ in developing effective policy, communications, services, and initiatives. So that together, we can shape a better community.
Transforming customer experiences in public services
The public sector face distinctive challenges in the design and delivery of customer services. Not only do public services have to deliver equitably to a ‘captive’ audience, there is increasing budgetary pressure to do more for less.
Shaping stakeholder relationships
Colmar Brunton’s Social Research Agency works with public sector agencies to examine and measure stakeholder opinion. The ensuing insights act as a catalyst for cultural change.
Building trust in, and the reputation of, the public sector
Public sector reputation is shaped through perceptions of trustworthiness, fairness, social responsibility, and leadership. We work with public sector organisations to understand how they perform on these in the customer’s eyes, and in turn how reputation and trust can be enhanced.
Changing behaviour through communications and social marketing
The success of many government policies and priorities rests on attaining positive behaviour change. Through listening first-hand to New Zealanders, and drawing on disciplines such as social psychology and behavioural economics, we work with public sector clients to develop a deep understanding of human behaviour and how to change it.
Understanding ‘what works’ – informing and evaluating policy initiatives
The Government places a strong focus on initiatives and social innovations that make the greatest difference to our communities. Better outcomes are achieved when the design of these are driven by an in-depth understanding of the customer and ‘what works’.
